Wow, am I really writing an entry reminiscing about some of the discontinued Ikea duvet covers? It seems I am.

I’m not losing faith in Ikea, believe me. They continue to pop out delicious things for the home and I continue to drool. I’m just not in love with most of their recently released textiles—specifically their duvet covers.

Other than the black and white one on the far left (which I suppose I could live with), I can barely even tolerate looking at these for more than a few seconds. I don’t know what’s going on with the one on the far right. Perhaps it was targeted towards people who sleep naked but are self-conscious about it? The tackiness  of it all makes my eyes burn and a part of me dies inside when I wonder how something so foul could come from Ikea.

I miss the old patterns, like the one above, with snow flakes. Tell me this one isn’t perfect for cuddling up in bed on a snow day.

I miss the bright and colorful patterns of the Bibbi line. The flowers (above) and the finger-print-like swirls (both Bibbi’s) are my favorite in addition to the red and white drip design and black and white pinwheels (both names slip my mind at the moment).

Maybe I’m just falling behind the times, but all I know is I’m not falling for all these beige/boring duvets. I thought Ikea’s thinking was “be brave, not beige.” What do you think?

I’m not sure what Old Navy is even trying to do anymore. I always looked at them as sort of a bland family clothing store—a discount GAP (what the really are, actually, seeing as how they’re owned by GAP). For a short time however, I was blown away by their attempt (and success in my opinion) at maturing and evolving into something a little more (see all the gorgeous photos in this post). Where do I stand now? You’ll see.

For a year or so, leading up to the Lights campaign, Old Navy’s advertising department seemed to be hitting the jackpot using catchy songs in television spots and memorable catch phrases. February-June 2008 marked what I consider to be their climax of advertising and overall design. A series of four cinematic tv-spots (led by creative director Landis Smithers, art director Richard Christiansen, associate producer Sara Fisher, cinematographer Darius Khondji, wardrobe stylist Eddie Schachnow, executive producer Connie Bang, first assistant director Paul Norman, and others) were created for each month from February to May. Each showed off the upcoming month’s new collection and also featured a different song from Canadian synthpop artist, Lights. The commercials were beautifully created using state-of-the-art filming equipment and had excellent cinematography and art direction—quality of Hollywood films, really.

The new look of oldnavy was fashion-forward, trendy, and youthful looking. The spring collection could’ve easily fit in at Forever 21 or H&M. In June, there was a follow-up television ad to the Lights campaign showing off some sparkly new evening wear while also advertising for the MTV movie awards. The rest of the summer line saw nothing like that. The interactive website which accompanied the spring campaign became a boring static page of summer collection shots that did the gorgeous garments no justice (Seen in the last two images). When fall and winter came around, the entire Old Navy “NEXT” page had been taken down.

Since then, Old Navy seems to have reverted to their old ways. Selling boring polos and vests with gimmicky advertising. Their new campaign, I believe is something called “The Modelquins” in which a series of still-frames show mannequins in different situations with voiceovers attempting to give them some life. Quite a large step backwards in my book.

I’d love to see some more eye-candy advertising and fashion from Old Navy, but I’m not sure if that’s in their agenda. The Modelquins seem to have a new commercial out every time I turn the tv on—I guess someone’s buying into the advertising.

PS: In addition to returning to old marketing and clothing, Old Navy has also reverted to their old logo (left). I wonder if that has anything to do with why I find myself shopping there less and less lately. Maybe it’s the fact that nothing in that store fits me. Anywho, I definitely favored the new logo (right) and its miniature form, a simple “ON”. Read more about the change on Brand New.

PPS: I still love their two-for-five flipflops. If they ever decide to get rid of those, I don’t know what I’ll do with myself. Maybe explode.

As much as I love Ikea, I also hate them. Mainly for one little thing. Well, to me, a rather large thing: their shade of white.

Above, you see a bright/pure white. Something I wish all of their furniture came in. ALL of it. Instead, the majority of it (whether it be painted finish, foil finish, whatever) is a creamy, yellowish off-white (as seen below).

Some of their furniture is bright white. Namely high-gloss things like kitchen door panel. I mean, sure that’s a start. But putting those doors on the standard white frames (creamy white) looks stupid. It makes the less brilliant white part look dirty.

I originally had my heart set on white bedroom furniture, but opted for birch instead. I have light grey walls and pure white trim. My vika amon table which has a white top looks out of place against the walls and white trim. My white iMac (which usually sits on it) along with any other white object makes it look dirty and stained in comparison. Next time you go to Ikea, look at a white expedit bookshelf. I’m sure they have it filled with a bunch of white kasset boxes. The bright boxes clashes with the creamy white shelf so badly. It literally drives me up the walls.

All I’m asking is that their furniture to come in one standard shade of white. A real (bright/pure) white. None this cream colored. Until then, I will most likely be avoiding furnishing my house in white furniture from Ikea. Or i’ll sandblast the heck out of it and refinish it in a true white.

What angers me: Alot of Ikea’s catalog / room setup photos are usually retouched like I did above so that all whites look the same. It’s deceiving. At least, I think so. Maybe I’m just making a huge deal about something stupid, but it’s just something that drives me crazy. And always will. Anyone else?

/end rant

…for everyone except college students.

So you know, I just found out that EVEN THOUGH I made well over $3,000 this past year, because I am a student between the age of 17 and 24, I won’t be recieving a stimulus check from the government. Nor, will my parents be recieving any amount for me being considered a dependent. What is this? A Punishment?

Good thing the government considers dead grandmothers more of a contribution to society than young people who are trying to better themselves through education.